I so understand your heartache in the mannor of Minkys death. I believe that the injection to the chest would have happened so quick, Minky would not have even recognized it. She was more upset about the blanket and was focused on that, not expecting what occured. Cats as all animals in extreme pain, act so very different than what is their usual disposition. I do know for sure that this vet, would have made it as quick as possible. They don't want them to suffer either. When I left my scruffy with Gail, (animal rescue lady) my last request to her was to "make it quick" She did the same thing. Scruffy didn't fight at all. He was to weak to really move much at all. He also knew her, and the facility. We had visited many times to her sanctuary.
My belief is that these babies are so upset with how they hurt, that this final thing is not realized. My scruffy had a back end reoccuring infection that could not be cleared up. He had the infection 3 times before and was in pain like Minky was.
I know that it is hard for you to except that Minky had to have his last minutes without you. You were crying uncontrolably just like I was, when I handed scruffy over. I believe your Minky knew that you loved her. We will see our friends again Markus. Energy never dies. Markus, with humans, our own deaths are often much more painful in some cases, than what we allow our animals. We arn't allowed to decide really what is for us the time of our own release. I wish that humans would be as kind to each other, as we are with our friends and animal companions. I wish we had the same kind of choices that we make for our friends. They are blessed to be able to have this kind of peaceful ending. Minky didn't suffer long Markus. She is still with you in spirit. That part never will go away. I also loved how your language sounded. How beautiful! Where is your home? I am in Florida on the west coast. Let me know how you are doing. I wish I could give you more comfort than what the PC allows us to do. Our cats are having a good time together, think of them having fun again, just like when they were kittens. ginnie

My home is in Cape Town South Africa. The city is on the extreme most south western tip of the African continent. We have winter now and as I am writing it is cold and raining outside. We get those typical soft rains sometimes for days.
My city offers a lot to the tourists. The drive down to the tip of the Peninsula have spectacular views. We also have a lot of wine farms and then we have the west coast with the smaller towns.
I have a website you can look at. Unfortunately one of those free websites therefor the long address www.wix.com/markuspienaar/guidedtours I am yet to register a domain and then it will be shorter. There are some photos of my trips and my city. Maybe one day you can come visit.
Thank you for the support with Minki's death. It is so nice to talk to someone who understands. I still feel sad but I am now getting better, thanks to the support and advice.
I am also on facebook and have more photos there of my home, Minki etc. should you want to look me up there and I will accept you as a friend. Look for Markus Pienaar in Cape Town. If you do, how will I know it is you or are you known there also as Ginnie (I do not know your last name)
One last thing, I see your mood is "stressed". What is causing you to feel this way? Only if you want to talk about it. Have a nice day,
Markus

I did look at a map to see where you are. My son was in the Navy and he said of all the countries he saw during his tour, South Africa was the most beautiful. He never forgot his time in your country.
Markus, I would very much like to keep in touch with you. Of course... One thing I can't do is go to face book. I have so much I am doing these days in my life, with NT, and things on the home front, I have very little time to learn to use a new site. I am not that great on the PC. However I can PM you my e-mail, and perhaps through that I could see your pictures. Drop and drag, and learning new things is my weakness. I do use any extra time I have for NT. I am here because of my own medical problems. No I don't mind telling you. I have multipal auto immune problems, had 2 cervial fusions, and a bunch of other surgeries. PN, which may now be RSD. So medically I am indeed stressed. Emotionally stressed also. I had no health insurance in this country when I got all this stuff. I was denied insurance as I had pre-existing conditions from a young age. In responce to that my folks saved for me in a trust. This trust was to keep me in my paid for home, to cover my property tax. I was not allowed to keep these funds, or I would not have been granted disability. So I am loosing my home, all because I got sick. My folks tried to protect me from this happening but the gov.did not care what the trust said. Their rules took the cake. So I am not real happy these days, and I have no idea what to do, or how to sustain myself with the very little I receive. I had to retire early, which gives you less to live on. The house market is terrible as you have probably heard from the news. This is true.
I worked for 30 years, and I find it very sad to be in this position. This is the root of my stress. I come to NT for comfort, and to get through the tramua with my medical conditions. I have found such compassion here, such good people from all over the world. After my last fusion, I stayed, and wanted to give back the kindness I received. I feel blessed to be a part of this site.
It helped my own grief, with my scruffy too....
Sometimes in life, you just need others. People need people to get through the hard times. I sure feel for you, as you go through your grief with minky.
When you know how that "feels", you can empathize with another going through that same hurt. Grief is something all humans have in common.
PM me and I will send you my e-mail. I hope you are OK today Markus, and that for a little while, you can dry your tears. Thank you for asking about me and caring. ginnie

We have veterinarians in the family, and one of my best friends is one also. I have assisted in procedures many times, and I am familiar with the one that was done. It is very quick, and humane to the animal; they are not traumatized by it, nor do they suffer. Every effort is made to alleviate suffering and not prolong or worsen it.

The veterinarian could not read your mind or I think would have tried to do something differently. They may seem callous or hardened to it because they must do it every day, but let me assure you they are not. The vets I know have to work very hard not to show their emotions. They feel for every creature they have to help this way. They are trained not show emotions in order not to upset the animals or their owners any more than they know they already are.

Please let go of any guilt, and forgive -- yourself and the veterinarian, whose only wish was to help you both through this.

Doc

Thank you for the comforting message. I do know that he loved Minki and I was told before by other people that he loves cats and most people with cats prefer to go to him. I even saw him several times bending down and give her a hug on the table before giving her the usual injection.
Maybe it was unfair of me to tell what I thought but I am hurting so much and my mind is just running with what did happened.
I just wished she could have died during the night because to take a cat to be put down is just terrible. I know I did the right thing as she clearly was in pain and stopped eating. Thanks again to all for the support and advice.

I did go to your web site. South Africa looks just beautiful. Glad to see what you look like too. Thank you for sharing that. Hope others will take a look too. Would have loved it if I could have been a tourist and have you guide!!!! ginnie

Markus, I hope that someday you will be able to fill the hole in another kitty's heart!

Anyone who owns a pet may one day find themselves in the situation of making a final decision for that pet. It's part of the responsibility of pet ownership, like feeding and medical care, and one that everyone must be aware of and accept before adopting a pet.

When dealing with a pet that is ill and in declining health, I believe the best, easist course of action is to make the decision ahead of time. Establish some criterion, or set of criteria, with the help/guidance of your veterenarian, that will be the indication, or signal, that it is time, and stick to it.

We've had to do this twice now, and will likely have to again. We have no regrets about this way of doing it. The decision is essentially made for us, and there is no last minute aruing with ourselves about trying to prolong the inevitable, or guilt about it being the right thing at the right time.

Every vet I have discussed this method with concurs that it is the best way, as have many pet owners we have known/met. Set your own criteria, but when that event occurs, stick to it regardless of what happens afterward.

Celebrate the love and joy you shared; it is something truly special.

Doc

Hi Sparky, I am already longing to have a cat around so I am quite sure it will eventually happen but for now it is still too soon.
Another friend who lost her dog also told me today that she has a cat now and that compare to what she had while the animal was with her to the sad experience of departing from them, for her it is adding up much more to have a pet. It's got me thinking and if I think of how much me and Minki got out of our relationship with each other, I must have to admit that it is more worth than going without from now on. Just need some time for now.

Markus, there is a cat out there that needs you as much as you need them. And you'll find that cat at the exact right moment. I'm sure of it.